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CANADIANS URGE YOUNG PEOPLE TO SHARE THEIR FEELINGS WITH KIDS HELP PHONE

More than 4,300 kids who struggle with their well-being reach out for
help and hope every week.On Sunday May 1st, Canada walked so kids could talk.

TORONTO, May 4 /CNW/ - On Sunday May 1st, community leaders, neighbours, coaches, teachers, kids, moms, and dads
helped kick off National Mental Health Week by joining an inspiring
Canadian movement to "break the silence on mental health." More than 40
communities across the country took to the streets for the 10th annual Walk for Kids Help Phone to send out an important message of
courage and hope to young people across Canada. That message is that
talking about a problem isn't a sign of weakness, but a sign of
strength. On Sunday May 1st, Canada walked so kids could talk.

"The spirit of caring among Canadians is remarkable," says Duane, a
professional counsellor at Kids Help Phone. "It gives young people a
promise of help and hope whenever they feel life is letting them down.
Providing kids with free, confidential, anonymous, non-judgmental
counselling is vital. Everyone struggles sometimes, and we want kids
and teens to know it's okay to ask for help. What an empowering message
to be sharing with Canada's six million young people."

Kids Help Phone's professional counsellors assist kids more than 4,300
times a week either through phone or web consultation. While every
young person who contacts Kids Help Phone is dealing with issues that
affect their well-being, in 2010, 30% of contacts were from young
people facing significant mental and emotional health struggles. That's a notable increase from
the 19% recorded in 2004 (first available Kids Help Phone issue-related
statistics).

Connecting with the youth counselling service from more than 2,500
Canadian communities, kids, teens and young adults reach out with
questions and concerns ranging from trouble with homework to dealing
with depression and anxiety, from sexual identity questions to thoughts
of suicide. That's why the Walk is so important; the charity's biggest
fundraising event of the year provides critical funds that ensure Kids
Help Phone's professional counsellors continue to be there for young
people everywhere, ensuring that no cry for help goes unanswered today,
tonight, or tomorrow.

On Sunday May 1st, thousands of co-workers, friends and family stepped forward as one
community for one cause - kids - and raised $2 million. Pledges and
contributions are still being tallied. Because every minute of every
day is an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of kids in
Canada, the Walk for Kids Help Phone accepts donations year-round; see
how the contributions are making a difference with this message from
Kids Help Phone counsellor Duane: www.walkforkidshelpphone.ca

Kids Help Phone is Canada's only phone and on-line counselling service
for youth. It's free, anonymous and confidential. Professional
counsellors are available any time of the day or night, 365 days a
year, to help young people deal with concerns large or small. As a
national community-based charity, Kids Help Phone relies on individual
and corporate donations to fund these vital services.

CNW Group is proud to be the official newswire provider for Kids Help
Phone.